06. Technip FMC
A number of major global EPC contractors have dived into the tide of mergers to achieve goals of cost-optimisation and operational excellence – something that has not just boosted their growth outlook, but has also helped them create huge combined entities to broaden their portfolio of services. The acquisition of American subsea specialist FMC Technologies, worth $13bn, in January this year, has led to France’s Technip ascend to No. 6 in this year’s list. Apart from the massive merger, Technip FMC has recently been awarded an EPC contract by Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), for a sulphate reduction plant on West Island in Abu Dhabi. The objective of the EPC3 project is the installation of a sulphate reduction plant module along with new installations and tie-in to existing facilities.
07. McDermott
Houston-based McDermott International, which has been operating in the Middle East region for about six decades now, has been heavily involved in offshore EPC projects in Saudi Arabia in recent times, by virtue of which the company has leaped up to No. 7 in the 2017 rankings.
In Q1 2017, McDermott signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Aramco for a long-term land lease at the new maritime facility at Ras Al Khair in Saudi Arabia, currently being developed by the Saudi oil behemoth. With a long-term phased approach, McDermott plans to build a new fabrication and marine complex to service its growing Middle East and Caspian markets.
Earlier this year, McDermott, which has its regional base in Dubai’s Jebel Ali, won a contract award from Aramco for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of four jackets and three offshore gas observation platforms. The total weight of all structures combined is 11,595 tonnes.
08. Saipem
Saipem has been awarded new contracts and the extension of pre-existing agreements in the onshore drilling sector in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bolivia and Argentina for a total value of $240mn. In the Middle East, Saipem boosts its presence with a further important three-year extension to activities related to six medium-sized onshore drilling rigs already operating in Saudi Arabia. This is in addition to extensions of equal duration announced in September 2016 in relation to ten rigs. Separately in KSA, Saipem has been awarded new contracts with an overall value of about $1bn, with two major deals awarded by Saudi Aramco. The most significant are the Aramco deals for two EPIC contracts under the long term agreement in force and renewed in 2015 until 2021 for activities in Saudi Arabia, Saipem said.
09. AMEC Foster Wheeler
While the expected merger with fellow British engineering company Wood Group will significantly boost Amec Foster Wheeler’s growth prospects, giving it access to a combined portfolio of EPC services, its own operations in the MENA energy market has considerably raised its profile as an engineering services provider. Al Hosn Gas, late last year, awarded a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) contract to Amec Foster Wheeler, as part of its plans to expand the gas plant’s capacity by 50%. The British firm – one of the key players in the GCC region – has extensive experience of executing similar projects. The FEED services contract will enable Al Hosn Gas to optimise the design of the expansion project with minimal technical, cost and schedule risks.
10. WorleyParsons
WorleyParsons has renewed its engineering services contract with oil giant Saudi Aramco. The Australian company says the contract involves project management and design engineering services across a variety of onshore, green and brownfield projects in the oil and infrastructure sectors for the Saudi behemoth. The contract has been renewed for five years, with the option of another three one-year extensions. Also in the GCC, WorleyParsons has been awarded a five year EPCM services contract for the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) complex – the world’s largest GTL products producer – and associated facilities in Qatar. Under the contract, WorleyParsons will provide EPCM services primarily for a portfolio of brownfield projects. The contract will be executed by WorleyParsons Qatar, with support from its global delivery centre in India.
